“Free daycare software” is a very common search — understandably, since childcare budgets are tight. But before choosing a tool on price alone, it’s worth understanding how these products make money, especially when children’s information is involved. The real question isn’t “is it free?” but “who pays, and how?”
Why “free” deserves a second look
Software always costs something to run: servers, development, support. When you don’t pay in money, the business model lives somewhere else. The most common catches:
- Advertising shown to parents inside the app.
- Reselling or mining data for other purposes — a real concern when it’s information about children.
- Limited features that push you to a paid tier the moment you actually need them (the “free to start” model).
- No complete French version and no support — a concrete risk in Quebec.
The biggest hidden cost: your data
For a daycare, data isn’t a detail — it’s information about children. A free tool that monetizes data is in direct tension with Law 25, which holds you responsible for what your vendor does. Before adopting a “free” tool, ask it the same questions you’d ask a paid vendor — see our Law 25 compliance checklist.
What actually matters
The right test isn’t “free vs paid,” it’s total cost and data protection:
- Where is data hosted, and does the vendor respect Law 25 (data-processing agreement, photo consent)?
- Is the app genuinely bilingual, screen by screen?
- Is pricing simple and predictable, with no hidden fees or surprise tiers?
- Does the tool stay simple for educators day to day?
Free software that monetizes data costs more, in the end, than a transparent subscription. For the full list of criteria, see how to choose daycare software in Quebec.
”Free to start” vs genuinely affordable
Many tools are free until you pass a child count or want a basic feature — then the price climbs. Compare what the tool costs when you actually use it, not the trial version.
Starting without the risk
You can have data protection and avoid paying in year one. MonGardy offers the first year free to new childcare centres, then $999/year, no commitment — a transparent subscription, with no ads. It’s a way to test the tool in real conditions, with your educators and families, without committing budget up front. Compare features, pricing, and alternatives, or get started.
